Bookbinding machine



16, 1956 L. BAKER ETAL 2,766,870

' BOOKBINDING, MACHINE I Filed April 4, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l L LL IINFENTERS. BY 720mm )6. W

A I lORNEY.

1956 BAKER ETAL BOOKBINDING MACHINE Fiied April 4, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS W 6 ATTORNEY.

Oct 16, 1956 L. BAKER ET AL v 2,766,870

BOOKBINDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4, 1952 United StatesPatent BOOKBINDING MACHINE Leonard Baker, Hillsdale, N. J., and NormanH. Runge,

Orangebnrg, N. Y., assignors to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application April 4, 1952, Serial No.280,606

12 Claims. 01. 198-102) nisms spaced along said path, in the manufactureof books,

catalogues, directories, and the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedbook-clamp conveyor of the above character which will effectively andaccurately advance 2,766,870 Patented Oct. 16, 1956 veyor constructed inaccordance with the present. inverttion;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view ofthe driveend of said conveyor, viewed atthe left of Fig. 1, said view being takensubstantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a verticaltransverse sectional view substantially on the line 33'of Fig. 1, saidview being on the same scale as Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the off or drivenend of said conveyor, viewed at the right of Fig. 1 with the book-clampsomitted for purposes of clearer illustration, said view being on thesame scale as Fig. 2 and beingtaken substantially on the line of Fig. 5;V Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view substantially on theline 5-5 of Fig. 1 with the book-clamps omitted for purposes of clearerillustration, said view be ing on the same scale as Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is avertical transverse sectional view, on astill larger scale, of one ofthe book-clamps, said view being taken substantially on the line 66 ofFig. 2; and

successive signature-groups edgewise and in upright position along astraight longitudinal path, whereby the various mechanisms forperforming the individual steps in the binding and covering process maybe advantageously arranged in a single file.

Another object of the invention is to decrease the overall fioor spacerequired for installation of the general type of bookbinding machinethrough the provision of a novel book-clamp conveyor structure whichwill 0ccupy a comparatively small amount of floor space. I

Another object is to provide a book-clamp conveyor of novel constructionwherein the book-clamps are advanced edgewise and in upright positionthrough a closed path situated in a vertical plane.

Another object is to provide a novel book-clamp conveyor of the abovecharacter wherein the book-clamps are carried by driven endless flexiblemeans for effectively imparting movement to said book-clamps throughsaid closed path.

A further object is to provide a book-clamp conveyor wherein thebook-clamps are operatively connected to driven endless flexible meansin a novel manner, whereby the angular velocity of each book-clamp inpassing around the axes of said endless means is substantially constantso that no whip is imparted to the book-clamps, and a smooth, uniformoperation of the latter and said endless means is assured.

, Still another object is to provide a book-clamp of novel constructioncomprising a movable clamping jaw which is mounted for pivotal movementtoward and away from a fixed clamping jaw, and which will remainparallel with said fixed jaw regardless of the position it occupies withrespect to the fixed jaw, thus affording firm clamping-engagement ofboth jaws over the entire surfaces thereof with the signature-groupregardless of the thickness thereof.

The above and further objects and novel features ofthe invention willmore fully-appear from the following detail description when the same'isread in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of said book-clamp on the same scale. 1 '1'Referring now to the drawings which illustrate by way of example, oneform of book-clamp conveyor con; structed, arranged, and operated inaccordance with the present invention, 10 (Fig. 1) indicates a portionof the usual in-feed and levelingtable of a bookbinding machine alongwhich groups of book-making signatures or sheets 11 are successivelyadvanced, edgewise in upright posi tion and with the binding edgesthereof lowermost in or assemblage of sheets, folded and/ or unfolded,printed,

and/ or unprinted, on which one -'or. more operations .are to beperfor'medin the manufacture of hard or soft cased books of variousdescriptions, directories, cata Fig. l .is a side elevational view ofabook-clamp conlogues, pads, or the like.

The books 11 delivered one after another in timed re,- lation to thetable 10 by hand or by suitable conveyor means (not shown) which may bethe signature gathering conveyor of an associated signature feeding andgathering unit, are advanced along said table in proper spaced relationby the usual pusher fingers 12 :(Fig. 1) which are pivotally connected,to and spaced at intervals along an endless chain-carrier 13. Thefingers 12 pro ject laterally from the chain 13 into book-engagingposition through and between vertically disposed, transversely spaced,guide plates 14 which serve to hold the books 11 in upright position andto guide the same for move' ment by said fingers in a straightlongitudinal. path. The upper reach of the chain 13 travels in adownwardlyfin clined path so that each finger '12 will gradually movedownwardly relative to the advancing book and pass out of engagementwith said book and beneaththe table 10 at a locality spaced rearwardlyof the forwardend bf said table, the table being provided with asuitablenarroi'v opening to enable the fingers 12 to pass therethrough.The upper reach of the chain 13 passes over ari'idl'r guide sprocket 15and then passes around a driven sprocket 16; The sprocket 15 is suitablyjournalled on'a standard. 17 which supports the front end portion of thetable 10 and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a base 18. Thesprocket 16 is disposed below-the table 10 and is fixed on a shorttransverse shaft 19 which is journalled in a suitable beating providedin a=bracket 21 which is bolted'or otherwise suitably secured to thebase 18. The sprocket 16 and chain 13 are suitably d'riveri withjacontinuous motion atla desired uniform speed from the main drive shaft21 of the machine and for this purpose, said'shaft has fixed thereonabevelgear 22 which m eshes with a similar gear 23 that is fixedon ashort transverse shaft 24 which is journalled in a suitable bearing inthe bracket 20. and projects beyond opposit'e sides of saidbracket.Secured to the-shaft 24 and disposed between the bracket 20 and thebevel gear23 is a spur gear 25 which meshes with a similar gear 26 thatis fixed on the shaft 19 and, hence,- drives the latter shaft, thesprocket 16 and chain 13. i

As each book ll in turn approaches the forward ;end portion of the tableand while it is still being advanced under the action of the Ipusherfinger 1 2,--said book is taken by a novel book-clamp conveyor,indicated generally at 30 (Fig. l), and farther advanced along saidtable, then firmly clamped before it has passed beyond thepos'ition inwhichit is supported on the table, and then still farther advancedbeyond said table in a straight longitudinal path of a substantiallongitudinalzextent with the back orbinding edge thereof protruding.,Each book 11 so clamped and during movement thereof in the straightlongitudinal path by theconveyor 30, is operated upon at the exposed andprotruding back or binding edge thereof ,by various mechanisms spacedalong aid path for performing .the individual steps in the binding andcovering process. Since the various mechanisms per se, and theindividual binding and .cover applying operations performed thereby onthe books 11, are well known and form no partof the present invention,it is-believcd to be unnecessary to illustrate and describe the same.

shown in Fig. l, the novel book-clamp conveyor 30 is wholly disposedabove the plane of the leveling table lofland comprises an endlessseries of upright bookclamps, indicated generally at 3-1, which travelaround a vertical orbit, as distinguished from book-clamp conveyorsheretoforeemployed for the same purpose which z 7 2 701 ,1 R 1,2 A

a the same side as the remaining standards, and the'delivery V aredisposed at one side of the leveling table and comi prise an endlessseries of upright book-clamps which travel arounda horizontal orbit. Itwill'thus. be apparent that by virtue of the described arrangement ofthe novel book-clamp conveyon30 a comparatively small amount of floorspace is required therefor, resulting in a material constructed,arranged, and operated as follows. Spaced along the desired path ofstraight-line movement of the shccessive books 11 is a plurality ofstandards 32 (Fig. 1)

'which arebolted or otherwise suitably secured to the .base

18 and project upwardly and inwardly from said base above the plane oftheleveling table 10. Bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the upperinner end of each standard 32 is a split-bracket 33 (Figs. 1 to 4)having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, the axis of whichis substantially central with respect to the book path. Disposed betweenthe standards 32 and enga ged in the boresof the brackets 33 arelongitudinally extending spreader-tubes 34 and 35 which are securelyclamped insaid brackets and are further suitably keyed thereto topositively prevent relative rotation thereof; There are shown threestandards 32, .i. e., one at each end and one in the center oftheconveyor 30, and two spreader-tubes 34,

35, but this number of standards and tubes may be increased or decreaseddepending on the'length of said conestablishments. As shown, thestandard 32 at the delivery or right-hand end of the conveyor 30, asviewed in Fig 1, is disposed at the side of said conveyor opposite thatat which the remaining standards are located, for the purpose ofaccommodating a delivery mechanism,iindicated generally at 36 (Fig. l),which may be of the well-known endless apron or belt type, for receivingthe completed books'll discharged by the conveyor 30 and furtheradvancing the same in a direction at right angles to said conveyor to aconvenient point for removal therefrom. It is to be understood, however,that the standard 32 at the delivery end of theconveyor 30 may bedisposed at mechanism 36 extended in the opposite direction fordelivery'of the completed books in said direction.

The free left-hand end of the spreader-tube 34, as viewed in Figs. 1 and2, projects beyond the bracket 33 on the adjacent end-standard 32 andextends rearwardly over the forward end portion of the leveling table10. Engaged by a. tight push fit in the free openendofthe tube 34, is anannular portion 37 of a bearing-'bracket'fis' (Figs. 2 and 3) which isprovided with a horizontal bore extending transversely therethrough orat right angles to the axis of said tube. The bracket 38 is positivelyheld against rotation relative to the tube 34 by diametrically oppositekeys 39 (Fig. 3) which are boltedfor otherwise rigidly secured to'saidtube internally thereof and are engaged in suitable keyways formed inthe portion 37 of said bracket. The free right-hand endof thespreadertube 35, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4, projects forwardly beyondthe bracket 33 on the adjacent end-standard 32.

Engaged by a sliding fit in the freeopen end of the tube 35 is anannular portion 40 of .a bearing-bracketv 41.

secured to the tube 35 at the'top'and bottom and adjacent the free endthereof, which blocks have adjustably threaded therein bolts 45, theheads of which are-engaged with vertical lugs 46 formed onthebearing-bracket 41. 7

Accordingly, thebear'ing-bracket 41 and parts carried thereby to behereinafterdescribed, may' beaxially ,ad-

' justed relatively to and away from thespreader-tube. 35

i 7 atopposite sides of the bracket 38" and substantially in.

veyor which may 'beincrease'd ordecreased in accordance through rotationof the bolts 45 in the properdirection and engagement of the heads ofsaid bolts with the lugs 46, for a purpose to appear hereinafter.

The bearing-brackets 38, '41 have equal portions disposed at oppositesides of the common axisQof the spreader-tubes 34; 35, and said'bracketshave journalled in the bores thereof, by means ofappropriateanti-friction bearings 47, short transversely extendinghorizontal shafts 48 and49, respectively (Figs; l to 4) Arranged contacttherewith, except for a slight running clearance, are identicalsprockets 50 of'a relatively large diameter which are keyed or otherwisesuitably secured to the shaft '48. Arranged at" opposite sides of thebearingbracket 41 and substantially in contact therewith, except for aslight running clearance, are sprockets 51 which are identical 'with thesprockets'50 and are keyed or otherwise suitably secured to the shaft49. Engaged with and passing around the rear halves of the sprockets 50are from said sprockets to and pass around the front halves of thesprockets 51. As thus supported, the chain'assemblies 52 provide twotransversely spaced,"p'arallel and aligned endless flexible carrierswhich are symmetrically disposed atopposite sides ofvthe commonaxis ofthe spreader-tubes 34,35, and each..of which is arranged for movementthrough a closedor circulatory path lying in a. vertical plane anddefined by alower outgoing straight course extending from the respectivesprocket'50 to the respective sprocket 51, an upper-return straightcourse extending from the respective sprocket 51 backto the respectivesprocket 50, and semi-circular courses connectmg said straight coursesat their ends and leading from one to the other. H

As clearly shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings, eachchain assembly orendless flexible carrier 52 comprises a multiplicity ofchain sections 53 of predetermined equal lengths and of a'predeterminedpitch, preferably sections of roller chain, which are spaced apart adistance equal to twice said pitch and are connected together at theirends by special, outer and inner linkplates 54 and 55, respectively.Each connecting-linkplate 54 has riveted or otherwise suitably securedtherein two pins 56 which are spaced-apart a-distance equal to twice thepitch of the roller chain sections 53. These pins 56 in each plate 54project inwardly from said plate and extend through the aligned openingsin the links and rollers at the free ends-of adjacent chain sections 53and then pass through suitable clearance openings in the companionconnecting-link-plate 55. vEndwise displacement of the plates 55 fromthe respective pins 56 is prevented by suitable means, such as cotterpins inserted in the projecting ends of said pins.

Each endless flexible carrier 52, is thus formed by the roller chainsections 53 pivotally interconnected in succession by the connectinglinks comprising the plates 54, 55 and pins 56, and both carriers 52 areso arranged about the sprockets 50 and 51 that the sectionsaudconnecting links thereof are in exact transverse alignment. ;;Anyslack in the upper and lower reaches orruns of the endless carriers 52may be taken up, and'the desired degree of tightness of said reaches orruns may be obtained, through axial adjustment of the bearing-bracket41;.by the adjusting bolts 45, as hereinbefore described,

The roller chain sections 53 of each endless carrier 52 are of an equalnumber, and since said chain sections are all of the same length, theconnecting links comprising the plates 54, 55 and pins 56.will beequally spaced along the carriers. Alternately arranged between theendless carriers 52 and extending transversely of said carriers areshort shafts 57 and short rectangular bars 58 (Figs. 4 and 7) which areformed at opposite ends thereof with reduced annular journals 59 and60,v respectively The shafts 57 and bars 58 combined'are equal in numberto the number of connecting linksin a chain assembly, and the journals59, 60 of the respective shafts 57 and bars 58 are extended throughsuitable axially aligned bearings provided in the plates 54, 55 of allof the-connecting links, said bearings being located centrally betweenthe connecting pins 56, 56. Disposed between'the plates 54, 55 of all ofthe connecting links and rotatably fitted on the journals 59, 60 of therespective shafts.57 and bars 58 are anti-friction rollers 61 which areof a diameter slightly larger than the vertical dimensionsaofsaid-plates and the plates of the links of the chain sections 53. Thesprockets 50 and 51 are provided with'semi-circular notches or recesses62 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) in andproperly spaced, about the peripheriesthereof to receive the.rollers 61 as the endless carriers 52 travelaround said-sprockets The lower reaches or runs of'the endless carriers52 are supported and guided for straight-line outgoing movement by twotrack bars 63 (Figs. -1 to which extend longitudinally between thesprockets 50 and 51 and are milled at and along the inner sidesthereofto provide trackways 64 therein for receiving said-reaches andupon which the rollers 61 ride. The rollers "61 contact the-upper andlower surfaces of the trackways 64-;and-substantially contact the innerwalls of said trackways, exce'pt for theslightest possible clearance,whereby the lower reaches or runs of the endless carriers 52 are heldagainst upward, :downward and outward displacement,saidinner'walls beingundercut'to provide clearance grooves 65 for the 1061i,necting-link-plates 55 and for the outer link-plates of the chainsections 53. The upper reaches or runs of the endless carriers 52 aresupported and guided for straight-line return movement by two similarlongitudinally extending track bars 66 which, like the track bars 63,are provided with trackways 67 and undercut grooves 68 for receivingsaid reaches or runs with the rollers 61 thereof contacting the upperand lower surfaces of said trackways and sub stantially contacting theinner walls of the latter. The upper portions of the lower track bars 63extend substantially to the respective sprockets 50 and 51, and thelower portions of said bars extend below said sprockets, and saidportions at the opposite ends thereof are rounded, bevelled, or flaredto facilitate movement of the rollers 61 into and out of the trackways64. The upper portions of the upper track bars 66 extend over therespective sprockets 50 and 51, and the lower portions of said barsextend substantially to said sprockets, and said portions are likewiserounded, bevelled, or flared at the opposite ends thereof to facilitatemovement of the rollers 61 into and out of the trackways 67. -,The twolower track bars 63 and the two upper track bars 66 are bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the lower and upper ends, respectively, ofa plurality of vertically extending, longitudinally spaced brackets 69which are disposed at opposite sides .of the spreader-tubes 34, 35.(Figs. 1 to 5). The brackets 69 at one side of the spreader-tubes 34, 35are aligned with the brackets 69 at the other side of tubes, and saidbrackets are adjustably clamped in pairs to the tubes 34, 35 for pivotalmovement about said tubes for track-bar aligning purposes. Accordingly,each pair of brackets 69 has extended loosely therethrough a relativelylong bolt 70 and two relatively shortbolts 71, the long bolt 70 passingbeneath the spreader-tube 34 or 35 as the case may be and having aclamping nut 72 threaded thereon, and the short bolts 71 passing oversaid tube and being threaded into opposite sides of a block 73 which isbolted or otherwise suitably secured to the tube. The semi-circularcourses or runs of the endless carriers 52 are guided and maintained inengagement with the respective sprockets 50 and 51 by curved track bars74 which are engaged by the rollers 61 of said carriers. These trackbars 74 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured at their ends tobrackets 75 which, in turn, are adjustably bolted to the track bars 63and 66. e

The shafts 57 and bars 58 serve to support and to operatively connectthe book-clamps 31 with the endless carriers 52 at equally spacedintervals throughout the lengths of said carriers and such that saidclamps are successively disposed with their lengths parallel to thelengths of the carriers. For this purpose, the shafts 57 and bars 58 arepaired with each pair consisting of one shaft 57 and the next followingbar 58 considered in the direction of travel of the endless carriers 52,as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and for each book-clamp 31 one of saidshaftsand one of said bars is utilized. The book-clamps 31 are identicalin construction, mounting and operation and a description of one of saidbook-clamps will therefore suffice for all of the same. I

As shown particularly in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, each bookclamp 31 comprises avertically extending fixed clamp;

member 76 disposed at one side of the book path, and a companionvertically extending movable clamp member 77 disposed at the oppositeside of said book path and mounted on said fixed member for pivotalmovement toward and away from the same. The fixed clamp mern: ber 76 isin the form of a plate-like casting made of a suitable strong but lightweight material such as, for example, magnesium, and suitably ribbed foradded stiifness and strength. The fixed clamp member 76 is provided atthe top and rear end thereof with two suitably bored transversely spacedbosses 78 which are engaged over the shaft 57 and pinned or otherwisesuitably secured to said shaft. The fixed clamp member 76 is provided atthe V bya substantially smooth and't'miform movement for replacementpurposes' top'aiid front end thereof with twoitr ansvefsely spacedbosses 79 which ar'etransversely milled to'pr ovide alignednectionsbetween'theshaft 57 and bar 53,-elfectivel "and advantageouslyafforded by the chain sections 53, are curved about said sprocketscausing a shortening of the center distance between said shaft'and saidbar, the bar may effectively slide relative to the book-clamptowards-the-shaft 57, in the manner clearly to 'bennderstood from aninspection of Fig. 2,:andthereby compensatefor and permitthis shorteningof said center distance; Thus, the :endless carriers 52 may effectivelyfollow-the contour of the sprockets 50 and 51 ,and by virtue of theflexible connections between each shaft 57 and the companion bar 58, andthe mounting of said shaft andfbar on the special connecting links whichdefine relatively short chordsas they-traVeLarOund said sprockets, theangular velocity of eachbook-clamp '31 as the latter travelsar o'und thesemie circular courses will remain substantially constant, whereendlesscarriers and book-clamps is obtained;

' Wear plates 81 (Figs; 2 and'3) are preferably disposed between the bar58 and the'bos'ses 79, said plates being removably carried by saidbosses in a'suitable'vmanner The clamp member 76'being fixed to theshaft 57, as described, is thereby'held against axialdisplacementrelative to said shaft, and in order'to further guard against any,lateraldisplacement of said clamp member relative to the shaft 57and thebar 5821 block 82 is snugly fitted in the space between the-bosses 79and bolted or otherwise suitablysecuredto said bar.

' The fixed clamp member 76 is formed at the lower end thereof witha"book engaging jaw 83 (Figs. 2, 6 and 7) which is of a'desired lengthto accommodate the maximum size book 11 that may be handled, said jawhaving suitablysecured to its inner surface two vertically spacedmetallic strips 84 which extend the entire length of the jaw and aresuitably knurled, scored or otherwiseroughened to increase the grippingaction of said jaw on the books 11. 'The fixed clampmember 76 is locatedsubstantially central between the endless carriers 52, in which positionthe inner book-contacting surfaces of' the strips 84 onthe jaw: 83 arelocated substantially inthe same vertical plane as the common axis ofthe spreader-tubes34 and 35, thus establishing a definitelateral-position for all the books 11 of varying sizes and thicknessesthat may 7 be handled to insure accurate performance of the binding,

cover applying .and other operations thereon Thje fixed clamp member 76has removably secured, thereto at the rear end thereofabook-engaging-piii 85 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) which projects inwardlytherefrom above the jaw 83 and across the book'path, said pin serv ingto head-up or align the individual signatures orsheets of the book 11,and to impart continued advancing movementjto said book until the clamp31 doses thereon, and serving .asa gage to properly determine thelongitudinal position of the book 11. in said clampfor books of averagesize lengths, the pin 85 is located on the fixed clamp member 76 in theposition thereof shown in'the drawings, and for longer books 11 up tothe maximum length that may be handled, said pin is repositioned in anopening 86 provided in said clamp member 'for this pnr ose. V V t p j pAs shown inFigsZ, 6 and 7, the companion movable clamp mer'nber 77 iscentrally located lengthwise with respect to the fixed clamp member 76at the side of the latter facing-the jaw 83, and is in effect in theform of a'bell crank haviing arelatively ,wide downwardly projecting arm87and a. relatively wide arrn projecting inwardly over and beyond abrace 89 which is formed integrally with-the of the r fixed clampn'1e1nber adjacent the upper end thereof 7 'serves to connect andstrengthen the portions of said fixed member carrying the bosses 78and'79. ,The movable clamp member 77 is also made of a strong but lightweight materialsuch-as, for example, magnesium and is suitably ribbedfor added strength and stiffness. The movable clamp member 77-isfittedbetween longitudinallyspaced bosses 90 formed'integrally with thefixed clamp member 76, and said movable clamp member is pivptallymounted on a longitudinally extendingshaft 91 which is carried by saidbosses andis pinned or otherwise suitably s ecured thereto.

Extending longitudinally of the movable clampfmember 77 and journalledin suitable bearings provided in the lower free end of the arm 87 ofsaid member is a shaft 92 (Figs. 2, 3 and6) having suitably securedtothe projecting opposite ends thereofacompanion book-engaging jaw 93which is aligned with and is of the same length and width as the jaw 83on'the-fi'xedclamp member 76. The

jaw'93 has suitablysecured to its inner surface two'vertically-spacedlongitudinal metallic strips 94 which are knurled, scored 'or'otherwise roughened to increasethe gripping'ac tion' of said jaw on thebooks 11. Pinned or otherwise suitably secured to the projecting forwardend of the shaft-91 whiehis fixed'in the-fixed clamp member 76, ashereinbefore described; is a short arm 95 to the free endof-which ispivotally connected the upper end of a link 96. The lower end of thislink'96' is pivotally connected to the free end ofa'n arm 97 which is ofthe same length asthe arm 95 and is pinned or otherwise suitably securedto-the shaft 92 which carries the jaw 93 and is pivotally mounted inthe" movable clamp member 77, as hereinbefore described."

The movable clamp member 77 is rocked toward and away from the fixedclamp member 7 6 to clamp closing and opening positions, respectively,to firmly' clamp the book 11 between the jaws 83 and 93 for impartingstraight-line advancing movement to said book, and to firmly hold thebook ll during such movement while the binding and'co'v'er applying andother operations are be- 7 ing performed on the protruding backorbinding edge 9 thereof, andto thereafter release the completed book ata point above the delivery mechanism 36 for discharge thereto. It will:thus be apparent that when the movable clamp'member 77 is rocked;toward the fixed clamp member 76, as well as away-jfrom said fixed clampmember, the jaw '93 on said movable clamp member will, by virtue of thedescribed parallel-arms 95, 97- and connecting link j t 96, alwaysremain parallel with the jaw 83 of the fixed clamp member 76 regardlessof the positions it may occupy with respect to the jaw 83, as will beclearly seen from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 6. In this manner, nowiping action will be imparted to the bookll by the jaw '93 todisarrange-the outer signatures or sheets of said book upon engagementof the 'latter by'said jaw,-and a firm clamping engagement of -each book11, regardless of its thickness, by and between both jaws 83 and 93 inparallel relation is assured. i

e The members 76, 77 or the book-clamp, 31 have bolted or otherwisesuitably securedthereto opposed longitudinally' extendingupright guideplates 98 and'99, respectively (Figs 6 and-7'), which serve to hold theupper loose portions of the signatures or sheets of the book 11 againstflaring outwardly during movement of said book by said clamp, and inorder-to eliminate the possibilitylof said plates striking the book- 11:uponrotary movement of the book-clamp 31 into book engaging position,the forward or leading end portions of saidplates are bent or flaredoutwardly, and the lower longitudinal edge portion of the ,plate 98 isbent or flared outwardly with a gradual increase from the forward end tothe rear end thereof.

The book-clamp conveyor 30 is continuously driven'at V a proper speed inrelation to the speed of the pusher-pin chain 13 by driving :means to behereinafter described,

and in the operation 40f ;-s;ai,d, conveyor, .as each book clam 31itnavelsrirqiu an; unpqnstraight retu n 0 991 lQ rim into thesemi-circular course around thesprockets50, said book-clamp is opened,as shown at the top of Fig. 3, and maintained in opened condition whileit passes downwardlyaround said semi-circular course and .until itbegins to enter'the lower straight outgoing course or run, at which timethe book-clamp 31 is closed with the same in substantially true verticalposition. Under these conditions, as the opened book-clamp 31 travelsdownwardly around the-lower half of the semi-circular course, the fixedclamp member. 76 passes alongside of and parallel to the adjacent guideplate 14, and the movableclamp member 77 passes alongside of andparallel to the other adjacent guide plate 14, thus straddling theleading book-11 on the feed table with the header-up pin85 on said clampextend. iug across the top of the guide plates 14 and coming up behindsaid book. The guide plates 14 have portions thereof removed attheir2upperforward ends to clear the header-up pin 85. for movement ofthe latter over said plates. I

i As the. leading bookll approaches the forward end portion of the feedand leveling table 10 and while it is still. being advancedunder theinfluence of the pusherpin 12, said book is engaged at the rear edgethereof-by the header-up pin 85. on-themovingbook-clamp 31 and continuedalong said-table with said clamp by said latter pin until thebook-clamp. closes on and firmly clamps the book by and between the-jaws83 and 93 thereof, whichoccursbefore said-book has passed beyond theposition in whichit is supported on the table 10 and when said clamp isintrue vertical position. Upon engagement .of thebook 11 by;theheader-up pin 85 on the moving book-clamp 31, the pusher-pin -12ceases to acton said book and passes downwardly throughand beneath thefeed table 10 andaround the sprocket 16.

The book 11 firmly-held by thebook-clamp 31 is the farther advanced fromandv beyond the leveling table 10 by said clamp in a straightlongitudinal path with the back or bindingedge of said book'protrudingbeyond the lower edges of the jaws 83 and.;93,-as shown in Fig.- 6, forthe performance of bindingand cover applying and/or .other operationsthereon by suitable mechanisms (not. shown). spaced-along and arranged,beneath. said path of book travel. As -.the.f.bOok-clamp; 31 with thebook 11 approaches. the 31101, delivery -.endof thelowerstraightoutgoingcourse or-run, the "movable clamp member 77 is swungawayfrom the, fixed clamp member76, thereby opening the clamp -31 andreleasing the completed book to fall downwardly onto and-along a guidechute (not shown) which directs the completed book with the :coverthereof closed onto the delivery conveyor 36. The opened booloclamp 31then proceeds upwardly around the semi-circularcourse ofthe sprocketsSland is again closed-before it reachesvthe .top of said course. Fromthesemi-circular course. theclosed-book clamp 31 travels inlQfind alongthe .uppenstraightreturn' course or run until ,it ,approachesithe far.end of-;sa'id return course, at which time said book-clamp isagairiopened-and the above described operations are repeated to engage,clamp, andadvance another bookll. The operations described above inconnection with-one book-clamp 31 are'repeated for. eachsuccessive'bookwlamp, whereby successive books 11, are engaged, clamped-and'advanced 'in a continuous process foroper'ation's thereon;;andcompleted books are successively dischargedytothe-.deliver'yrconveyor'36; ejl'he described clamp-openingandclosin'g'operations at the book receiving end. ofs 'the conveyor 30 areeffected through movement. of the book-clamp .31 'and' forthis purpose,each book clamp 'has journalledon the'arm88 ofzthe :movablebell-cran'kclamp member 77 thereoffa roller 100 (Figs.-.2,;3.7. and. 7)which is adapted-to engage the outer-peripheral:surface o an'oval-shapedcamtrack 101.: This;cam;track 101isbolted or otherwise suitablysecured:centra1lythereof toa horizontal lug102 formed; integrally; with:the; bearing bracket 38,. and is fprtherzholted :or :;otherwise;suitably secured adjacent the 210 free ends thereof to the upper, andlower ends oi a vertical bracket 103 which is also bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to said bearing bracket. The cam track 101 is soproportionedthat -.the free endsthereof overlap the adjacent endsof theupper and lowerstraight runs of the endless carriers 52, and said freeendsof said cam track are tapered, as shown in Fig. 2,to.provide for agradual and smooth openingand closing of the book-clamps 31.

.The movable clampmember 77 of each book-clamp 31 is continuously'urgedunder heavy spring pressure towards the companion fixed clamp member 76to hold said book-clamp firmly'closed-and in firm gripping engagementwith thebook 11; Forthis purpose, each book-clamp 31 is provided' withat least two heavy coil compression springs104' (Fig. 6) surroundingrods 105 and having corresponding ends thereof engaging against a plate106 and the opposite endsv engaging against annular shoulders providedby collars 107 secured to or formed integrally. with said rods.'Thelower ends of the rods 105 extend loosely through suitable clearanceopenings formed in theplate 106 which is bolted or otherwise suitablysecuredto'the fixed clampv member 76, and the upper ends; of rods extend'into suitable recesses formed inthe underside o ftthe arm 88 of themovable clamp member 77. Ii desired,-a; suitably recessed steel wearplate may be bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the arm 88; of themovablezclamp member 77 for engagement by the upper ends ofthe rods 105.

It will thus be apparent that when the roller on each movingbook-clamp31- engagesthe tapered end of the upper half portionj-ofthecam track 101, which occursas said book-clamp approaches the far end ofthe'upper straight return course, the movable clamp member .77 will begradually andsmoothly swung outwardly away from the companion'fixedclamp member 76 against the actionof the springs --104, thusopening'thebookclamp, ,andathrough continued,engagement of the roller 100 withthecam track--101 effected by'the springs 105, the-book-c larnp, 31;will be. maintained .in opened conditionas-it travels around thesprockets 50. and until said roller-ridesintothe tapered end of thelower half portion of thecam track 101, which occurs shortly after saidbook clamp passes into thelower. straight outgoing course. Thereuponthemovable. clamp member 77, upon continued forward movement of ;thebook-clamp 31, will be gradually and smoothly swung inwardly towards thefixed clamp member ,76; and into firmclamping engagement with the book11 by the'expanding action of the springs 104. a Theextent of inwardmovement of the movable clamp member .77 and consequently the extentthat the roller 100 followslhe tapered end of the cam track 101 isdependent-upon the thickness of the book 11 n n led-.; l n y. pon.engagement of the movableclamp member .77 withthe book 11 and continuedforward :movement-of. .the book-clamp 31, the roller 100 will leave thecam track 101 and, hence, said book-clamp with;said-;book therein willremain closed substantiallythrough-out; theremainder'of its straightoutgoing courseor untihit approaches the far or delivery end 1 r e-;; vY

The described, clamp. opening and closing operations atthe.book,delivering.end of the..;conveyor 30 are also effected through,movement of the book-clamp 31 and for this purpose, a .ca m .arm v 108is provided (Figs. '4 and 5) which is disposed -in the .path-of forwardmovement. of the rollers-100 on the book-clamps .31 and is formed witharelativelyilong horizontal straight portion terminating in aforwardlyandrupwardly curved portion. The rollers 100 on the book-clamps31 engage the lower or outer -edge'.o f the cam arm 1,08,; and said edgeat the rollerreceiving endpf the. horizontal portion of said arm. is..tapered,-. as shown in Fig.'--4, to provide for a gradual andgsmoothopeningfof each book-clamp 31. The curvat ure .of the-roller engagingedge of the curved ppttionof the arm;10,8 isso chosen and proportionedto the shaft 48.

to provide ror a gradual and smears e esi f ger each book-clamp 31 asthe latter proceeds aroundthejlower half of the s'eini circular returncourse; The arm 108 is pivotally mounted; as #109,- on as-extensien 110of the bearing vbracket 4-1 (Fig. 4) so'thatsaid arm may be adjusted ina vertical plane in aceordanee with the thickness of the b'ooks '11being handled, whereby opening of the s'uccessive book-cla'rnps 31 and'discharg'eyof 12 understood 'that said invention is not limited to saidembodiment. Various changes i'nay be made therein;- particularly in thedesign and arrangement Of i118 illustrated, as we11-as in the mode ofoperation and: manner of use, without departing from the spirit andscope-of -the invention, as-will now be cle'ar tothese V skilled inthe-art.

the complete books therefrom willyal'ways occur" at the 7 samelocality-of :the-bookp'ath roe-s11 the books of different thicknessesthat may be-handldQ "Pivotally connected at 111 to the free endlof thehorizontal portion of the cam arm 108;-is the-lower' end'ojf anexternally threaded-rod =1- 12whichextends upwardly from said armthrough suitable elongated clearance openings formed in lowerand-upper=-braekets-1=13 and *114, respectively, which are bolted orotherwise suitably secured It will thus be apparent that'as eachbotSk-elainp 31 with the treated book 11 therein approaches "the far orWhat is claimed is:

1. In apparatus oiEth'eclass"described, a substantially horizontalsupport, means for advancing books one aftei'f another edgewise and inupright-position a longysaid sup- 'port, a plurality of upright bookclarnps arranged above said support for successively receiving andclamping-the? successive books whilevon saidsuppoi't and-further -ad-fvancing said books edgewise-and in upright position "from;

and beyond said support, said book clamps each-coniprising a fixedmemberand a -;cpn1 ai1ioi1 member mounted on-saidfixed nienib'erfoi'hiloveinent toward'aiid away from the latter, means for driving saidbook-claiitiisl through -a circulatory path defined by 'a lower straightoutgoing course andr an upper returncourse, said courses.

' being connected 'at their ends by serni-circularcourses 7 7 leadingfrom one to the other thereoffa'nd means spaced delivery end of thelower straight outgoing course, i-the roller 100 onsaid book clarnpwillfpass into engagement with the tapered endrof' the surfaceof theearn arm 108 and then ride along said surface'g whereupon the-mow ablemember 77 or said clamp will "be gradually and smoothly swung outwardlyaway from the companion fixed member 76 against the action of the s rins 104, thus opening the book-clamp and releasing the completed book fordischarge tothe delivery, conveyor or-niechanism 36. Shortly afterfthisopening of each hook-clamp 31 and release Ofdheconipletedb'oo'ltthereby,said clamp moves upwardly around" the=semicircularietuincourse, and'through said movement, the continuedengagement of the roller 100 with the cam -arm' 108;eflected= bythesprings 104, and the curvature of the curved-portion (if said arm,the'rnovable member 77 of the clamp is gradually and smoothly swung'inwardlyftowai'ds-the companion fixed member 76 by the expanding mien ofthe springs 104 to fully closed position -with the jaws 83 and 93 ofsaid members in contat with each other; at which time the ;roller"100leaves the earn-aim 108. The book-clamps 31 so opened and closedsuccessively; as described, then remain closed for substantially theremainder of their return course anduntil -the'y successively approachthe'far end of said course, whereupon said book-clamps are againsuccessively subjected-to the above 7 described clamp opening andclosing operations"at the book receiving end and the conveyor at-"thebook discharging end of The book-clamp conveyor '30is continuouslydriven along and connected to said book-c' lanipedriving m ans 'forsupporting the fixed member of each-book clamp and drivabIy connectingthe fs'arn'e" to said driving mean one of said spaced supporting meansbeingicapableof movement toward and away-fromdhe-other ofsaidspaced'supporting means relativetolboth members of eachbook clamp as the lattertravels around said semi-circular courses and passesjfromsaidse'mi-cijrcular courses to-saidstraightcourses, respectively. I I V 2.'-In apparatus of the class describeiwa-support, means for continuouslyadvancing a succession of books n spaced relation edgewise and inupright position along said support, a plurality of upright-book-clamp's arranged-1' at a predeterminedspeed=in'relation'tothe'speed of the V pusher-pin chain 13 such that thesuccessive book-clamps 31 will accurately meet and engage the successivebooks 11 as the-latter are being -advanced along the table 10 the pusherpins 12 and arrive at-the forward end portion of said table. For thispurpose' the continuously driven Itransv erse shaft "24 ma fixed thereona relatively small diameterv twin sprocket 2116 around which passes atwin chain 117 of jth rolle ir-type, which also passes around and drivesa rela'tively' large diameter-'- twin sprocket 118 that is keyed orotherwise suitablysecured The operation of the book-clamp conveyor 30constructed and arranged-in accordance with the present in vention willbe clearly understood fromi'theaforegoing description, and while saiddescri tion and-the a'ccom panying drawings -set tfontli within'o're drless' pai ticularity one embodiment etuie inventionpit lists heexpressly receivingrand clamping the'successive books-Awhilemin saidtable andfurther advancing'saidibooks edgewise andl above said supportforsuccessively reeiving and clamp: ing'the successive books while inmotion and co tinuing the advance of said booksedgewi'se and in uprightposi'-- tion .from and beyond said support, said-book elanipsf eachcomprising a fixed member and-aeompanieamem= ber mounted-on said fixedmember for movement towardf parting continuous movement tofsaidboolec1amps through a closed path defined'by a lower straight outgoingand .anupperr'eturn course, said courses beingconnected at their ends bysemiecircular courses fleading'fronione to the a other thereof, ;andmeans-"spaced alongand con;

3. .In apparat'usmf the class described, a table,- rnea'ns for advancingbooks one after another {e'dgew'is'e and-"in upright position along saidtable, a plurality of upright: 7

book-clamps arranged .above saidtable for successively in uprightposition gfro m' and; beyond said :table,-' each. clamp comprising afixed member disposed .at "one side of the -book path andia companidnmember disposed fat 7 thecother side of said lbookipath and mountedon;;and:

movable towards and away from ssaid'fixed memberto;

courses being connected -at their ends by semi-circular courses leadingfrom zone-16 the other thereof, saidzendless means being arranged so theaIotverfnutgoing;

straight course of the clamps begins at a locality overlying said table,means spaced along and connected to said endless fiexible means forsupporting the fixed member of each book clamp and drivably connectingthe same to said endless flexible means, one of said spaced supportingmeans being capable of movement toward and away from the other of saidspaced supporting means relative to both members of each book-clamp asthe latter travels around said semi-circular courses and passes fromsaid semi-circular courses to said straight courses, respectively, meansfor closing each clamp after a book is received between the said membersthereof and said clamp has entered said lower outgoing straight course,and means for thereafter opening each clamp to release the booktherefrom at a further locality of said closed path.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a book-clamp conveyor foradvancing a succession of books along a predetermined path for theperformance of operations thereon, said conveyor comprising twohorizontally extending endless flexible carriers arranged in opposedspaced parallel relation and having aligned straight runs at one sidethereof and aligned straight runs at the opposite side thereof, rotarymeans arranged at opposite extremities of said runs for supporting saidcarriers and for imparting advancing movement thereto in unison, aplurality of book-clamps disposed between and spaced along said carriersand projecting outwardly therefrom at right angles to said runs, doublemeans carried by and spaced along said carriers for supporting eachbook-clamp and for connecting the latter to said carriers for movementthereby through a closed path, one of said double means being capable ofmovement toward and away from the other of said double means relative tothe book-clamp as the latter travels around said rotary means and passesfrom said rotary means to said straight runs, respectively, saidbook-clamps each comprising a fixed member receiving said double meansand providing for said relative movement of the said one of said'doublemeans, and a companion member mounted on and movable towards and awayfrom said fixed member to clamp closing and opening positions,respectively, each of said book-clamps being adapted to receive a bookat one locality of the aforesaid path and hold said book with an edgethereof protruding beyond the outer end of the clamp during movement ofthe latter to a further locality of said path, spring means carried byeach book-clamp for closing the latter, means arranged at the said onelocality for controlling the closing of each book-clamp by said springmeans, and means arranged at said further locality for opening eachbook-clamp.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a book-clamp conveyor foradvancing a succession of books edgewise and in upright position along apredetermined path, said conveyor comprising two laterally spaced rearmeans rotatable about a common horizontal axis, two correspondinglyspaced front means rotatable about a common horizontal axis coplanarwith the axis of said rear means, two endless flexible carriersextending between and passing around said rear and front means andproviding aligned lower and upper straight runs, means for advancingsaid carriers in unison and such that the lower straight runs thereoftravel toward said front means, a plurality of book-clamps disposedbetween said carriers and spaced therealong equal distances apart, saidclamps extending lengthwise of said carriers and projecting outwardlytherefrom at right angles to said runs, a first means carried by saidcarriers and engaged in fixed relation with each clamp for supportingthe latter and connecting the same to said carriers for movement therebythrough a closed path, a second means carried by said carriers andspaced longitudinally from said first means for further supporting eachclamp, said second means being fitted in each clamp for sliding movementtoward and away from said first means so as to provide for contractionand extension of '14 the carrier portions between said first and secondmeans as said-portions and the clamp pass around said rear, and frontmeans and pass from said latter means into said lower and upper runs,said clamps each comprising a fixed member receiving said first andsecond means and a companion member mounted on said fixed member forrelative movement towards and away from said fixed member to clampclosing and opening positions, respec tively, spring means carried bythe fixed member of each clamp and engaging the companion member forclosing the clamp so as to hold a book with the back edge vthere ofprotruding beyond the outer end of said clamp, means. arranged adjacentsaid rear means for controlling closing of each clamp by said springmeans .when the clamp has entered said lower runs, and means arranged ata further locality of the aforesaid closed path for open ing each clamp.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a book-clamp conveyor foradvancing a succession of books edge-' wise and in upright positionalong a predeterminedpath, said conveyor comprising two laterally spacedrear sprockets rotatable about a common horizontal axis, twocorrespondingly spaced front sprockets rotatable about a commonhorizontal axis coplanar with the laxisfof said rear sprockets, twoendless chain assemblies -extend-, ing between and passing around saidrear and front sprockets and providing aligned lower and upper, straightruns, each of said assemblies comprising an equal number of chainsections of equal lengths and of a predetermined pitch and spaced aparta distance equal to twice said pitch, and links for connecting saidsections successively together in such spaced relation and form anendless assembly thereof, said assemblies being so arrangedtliat thesections and connecting links thereof are in transverse alignment, aplurality of cross elements disposedbe: tween and extending transverselyof said assemblies and carried by the aligned pairs of connecting linksof said assemblies, each cross element being located centrally betweenadjacent chain sections, means for advancing said assemblies in unisonand such that the lower runs thereof travel toward said front sprockets,a plurality of book-clamps disposed between said assemblies and of anumber one-half the number of the sections of each chain assembly, saidclamps extending lengthwise of said assemblies and projecting outwardlytherefrom at right angles to said runs, each clamp extending between andbeing supported by two of said cross elements, and comprising a fixedmember and a companion member mounted on said fixed member for movementtoward and away from said fixed member to clamp closing and openingpositions, respectively, said fixed member being arranged to receive oneof the said two cross elements in fixed relation so as to operativelyconnect the clamp with said assemblies for movement thereby through aclosed path and to receive the other of said two elements in slidingrelation so as to enable movement of one of said two elements toward andaway from the other element and thereby provide for contraction andextension of the aligned chain sections between said two elements assaid sections and the clamp pass around said rear and front sprocketsand pass from said sprockets into said lower and upper runs, springmeans carried by the fixed member of each clamp and engaging thecompanion member for closing the clamp so as to hold a book with theback edge thereof protruding beyond the outer end of said clamp, meansarranged adjacent said rear sprockets for controlling the closing ofeach clamp by said spring means when the clamp has entered said lowerruns, and means arranged at a further locality of the aforesaid closedpath for opening each clamp.

7. A book-clamp conveyor as defined in claim 6, wherein the companionmember of each book-clamp is pivotally mounted on the fixed member ofthe clamp, and including a book-engaging jaw pivotally mounted on saidcompanion member, and means for maintaining said tionsthat it may occupywith respect to said fixed memberi 8;A book-clamp conveyor as defined inclaim 7, wherein said means for maintaining the jaw in parallel relationwith the 'fixed clamp rnember comprises cooperating interconnectedparallel arms, one of said arms being immovably connected to said fixedclamp member, and the other of said arms being operatively connected tosaid jaw.

'9. A booloclamp conveyor as defined in claim 6, including'rollersjournall ed on each of the cross elements, and track bars engaged bysaid rollers for supporting and guiding the lower and upper runs of thechain assemblies for straight-line movement.

10 A book-clamp conveyor as defined in claim 6; wherein the endlesschain assemblies are composed of sections of roller chain, and includingrollers journalled oneach of the cross elements and confined by theconnecting links, said rollers projecting above and below the planes ofsaid links and said sections, and track verse axis and extendingrearwardly beyond the front sprockets above and adjacent said lower run,and means zontal axis extending parallel with said surface towards andaway from said fixed member to clamp closing and bars engaged by saidrollers for supporting and guiding the lower and upper runs of saidchain assemblies for straight-line movement, the rear and frontsprockets for supporting and driving said chain assembliesb'eingprovided with suitable recesses in the toothed'peripheries thereofto receive said rollers.

11. A book-clamp conveyor as defined in claim .6,

wherein the companion member of each book-clamp is pivotally mounted onthe fixed member of the clamp and 7 includes an upper inwardlyprojecting arm having a roller journalled thereon, and the clamp openingmeans isj arrangedto open each clamp before the latter leaves openingpositions, respectively, a'jaw mounted on said companion member adjacentthe lower end thereof for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis,extending parallel with said surface, saidrtjaw having a complementaryplanar book engaging surface, and means for maintaining said jaw inparallel relation with the planar book engaging surface of said fixed'member' in all posi-,

tions that it may occupy with respect to said fixed meniber, said meanscomprising two arms arranged in parallel relation, one of said armsbeing immovably connected to said fixed member and located, co-axiallywith the pivotal axisof said companion member, and the other of saidarms being operatively connected to said jaw and located c' o-axiallywith the pivotal axis of said jaw, and a link for pivotally connectingsaid arms.

References Cited in the file 'of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS'Brues'tle Jan. 25,1944

